Pianotech

  • 1.  Hammer Choice for Yamaha CF

    Posted 11-20-2020 13:08
    I am preparing to replace the hammers on a 1986 Yamaha CF.  I've been searching the archives here, and several years ago there were some strong recommendations for using the hammers that Yamaha was at that time supplying for this series, which were made with Wurzen felt. 

    The Ronsen Wurzen hammers from Pianotek look like another option.  What recommendations do you have?

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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  • 2.  RE: Hammer Choice for Yamaha CF

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-20-2020 13:15

    Hi Floyd,

     

    I have not done a ton of Yamaha grands, but recently did a C-3 with Abel Naturals from Wally Brooks.  They turned out very nicely with little work needed.  I want to do a C-7 once we have funding back after the pandemic.  So easy to work with, especially if you had the all day seminar with Wally himself. Maybe Mel has more info.

     

    Best,

    Paul

     






  • 3.  RE: Hammer Choice for Yamaha CF

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-20-2020 20:03
    Hmmmm. I may have this wrong but I don't think Wurzen felt existed in 1986. My understanding was that the company started after the fall of the Berlin wall in1989. In 1991 Klaus and Jack Brand Re-privatized the Weikert felt plant in Wurzen which had been behind the Iron curtain in East Germany since 1945. Jack Brand has told of how he was handed the Weikert felt recipies by the former production manager.  Yamaha is currently using Wurzen felt to great effect. A few years ago when I replaced the Hammers on a CFIII  Yamaha recommended I use the original hammer makers hammers which they then told me weren't available. After some convincing They sold me the hammers they currently use for the CFX which are made with Wurzen felt. They are very nice hammers but need quite a bit of filing, needling and very specific hardening. If you aren't familiar with these sort of techniques used on big pianos then they might not be what you're looking for. I have used Brooks Ltd Abel naturals on large Steinway and Yamaha pianos and they work well with far less intervention by the installer. They are however going to produce a very bright, some might say aggressive, tone and may require substantial softening. I have never installed a bad set of Ronsen hammers and use them often. Also, I like the gang at Pianotek and they have always been helpful when I didn't understand what I was doing (okay all of you can stop laughing now).

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    Karl Roeder
    Pompano Beach FL
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  • 4.  RE: Hammer Choice for Yamaha CF

    Posted 11-22-2020 23:40
    Thank you Karl.

    I do understand that this piano was manufactured before Yamaha was using Wurzen felt for their CF series.  When I refer above to the hammers Yamaha was supplying "at that time", I was referring to the time of the comments in 2002 from Antares from Amsterdam.  I also expect, based on my limited experience, that if I were to order hammers for this instrument today from Yamaha, I would receive hammers covered with Wurzen felt.

    So far I have received comments on Yamaha Wurzen hammers, Abel Naturals, and Ronsen Wurzens.  I curious what the experience of others has been in choosing and evaluating hammers in the Yamaha CF series pianos.

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    Floyd Gadd
    Regina SK
    306-502-9103
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  • 5.  RE: Hammer Choice for Yamaha CF

    Member
    Posted 11-23-2020 11:34
    There are so many variables in ordering from Ronsen. You pick the weight of the cut and therefore the density.  The 16lb cut will start with a 12 1/2 gr hammer depending on which molding you choose. If you custom prep the hammers, Ronsen is the choice. However the higher end Yamahas seem to be custom fitted as to hammer bore and strike point. I would use Yamaha hammers because the factory probably doesn't change the bore distance. They take the hammer out of the box and hang them, then make it work. To custom one of those without out knowing what the factory really does,, good luck.
    I would make it easy and then Yamaha tech help will answer questions,,, maybe.

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    209-770-4312
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